Agree with people's statements to say on paper we're weaker (currently) than last year...Of course hard to tell for certain until we've kicked a ball. We just have to hope Gestede has an exciting RW lined up and if these signings turn out to be duds, then it's imperative we keep Travis and Tronstad. If we loose one of them then we could end up in a sticky situation - That's how important they both are.

Bruce, I do gamble but I won't bet with other people on here and I deffo won't be publicly showing off like Mercer does. Like I have repeatedly told you previously I have no interest betting you. Why don't you get the message Mercer? The bids for Brittain was pre Stanley friendly since then over 2 weeks has past and he has been playing for us in 3 friendly including Friday game and he flew with Rovers on Saturday. Yes a journalist on Tuesday, Derby bid was accepted, yet he has played in friendlies on Tuesday and Friday, so clearly not true.

I’m 35, and had a season ticket from the 97-98 season, so I mostly missed the real glory days, although I did go to the odd game with my dad or cousin before then. A player that I haven’t seen mentioned yet who I thought was one of the best of the last 20/25 years would be Bentley. Incredible talent who should have gone on to have a far better career than he did. A bit like Beckham, played wide right but didn’t have pace, just had the ability to find half a yard and put in fantastic crosses. Also weighed in with some brilliant goals. Him and Emerton made a great partnership down the right side. Bellamy also goes down as one of the best in my time. Only stayed one season and I seem to think he did have injury issues, but he frightened the life out of defenders with his pace, worked incredibly hard for the team and scored some worldies (Boro (H), Pompey (A). Liverpool got him for an absolute steal at the time, I was devastated!

We have gambled massively so far on signings. Other than McLouglin nobody has a clue if these mystery lads are going the way of Tronstad or Telalovic. At this point you have to expect it’s a weaker side than last season. Attacking wise especially, Dolan and Weimenn were major goal contributors and have yet to be replaced.

Chaddy doesn't gamble at all? Have you not seen him post about the football bets he has made!!! Is that not gambling? Why do I make such offers? Well @chaddyrovers makes posts with such apparent certainty and if he was convinced about such certainty then surely he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth!!! If I'm pretty certain about something, I put my money where my mouth is. Simple as.

A normal club would start this process with at least 2 years remaining on their contracts, so that their value is still high if they refuse contracts and need to be sold. However - Rovers do not offer competitive Championship salaries, so if a player does become proven in this division, they are unable to match what most other clubs in the division can Which in itself wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if players with potential were signed up to 4 or 5 year deals, so that Rovers have time to sell them at their maximum value with a couple of years left on their contracts. But - Rovers keep signing players on 2 (or 3 year at most in 99% of cases) contracts such as Kargbo & McLoughlin which has them at an immediate disadvantage. The short term deal for Kargbo especially is mind boggling as it means that if by the end of the season he is proven in the Championship, Rovers have next to no chance of keeping hold on him and he will only have 1 year left on his contract so his value is depreciating anyway. Even the "promising" players signed this summer are only on 3 year deals. By the time they are "proven" (assuming that they are), then its time to sell them on a cut price deal as we cant afford to pay them what they are worth and they only have a year left. and - The short termism of those in charge would probably still leave them to penny pinching for an extra year or 2 before offering improved deals to proven players anyway And even then, fees received from player sales do not impact of budget by all accounts. So operating a player trading model is completely off the table from the start anyway! Mental!

Joined them from Accrington in the summer apparently, so guessing he must have been on trail with Rovers at the end of last season and not made the grade

We should sign them to long term extensions and if they refuse to sign we shouldn’t allow them to run down their contracts. A normal club, this is not the case, would either sell the asset or secure it. We seem to do neither.

Sorry. Just read the posts. It was Charlton.

Fine hairstyle. Seem to recall he went to Millwall.

Shows how twisted and horribly inaccurate my memory has become sometimes.

Not Rovers news, but I see Beck loaned to Derby. I really liked Beck. A shame Rovers couldn’t get him again, but Eustace getting him, says it all.

Rovers have never competed under venkys. All we've done is make up the numbers.

I don't know why you say this sort of thing to Chaddy when he has repeatedly told you he doesn't gamble at all. Or is that precisely why you make these offers?

Blimey, Endean was terrible! If Rogers was as good as everyone describes we didnt half get shafted on that deal.

Stiff Little Fingers - White Noise

Friedel Berg Henchoz Neil Le Saux Sherwood Tugay Ripley Duff Shearer McCarthy

Eamon was a mercurial talent "they call him Eamon Rogers, they call him the king of the land, his hair hangs over his shoulders tied up with a blue and white band". Played nearly 200 games for Rovers and his goal record was about 1 in 4 (mainly from midfield). Moved to Charlton with 'Dumper' Endean coming the other way as part of the deal. Sadly, affected by injury after leaving Rovers and I seem to recall he was forced to retire from the game 2 or 3 years after leaving Rovers. A class above anyone we have now.

Speaking of "YouTube" players. I wonder how (2009) Carlos Villanueva would fare in the 2025-2026 Championship? I bet 2009 Aaron Mokoena would be the best player in the division. Wonder how many other of our "bang average" players of Pre-Venky (Premier League) years would be absolute studs for us now... Jason Roberts, Zurab Khizanishvilli, Alan Fettis (🤣), Shefki Kuqi, Vince Grella (💀), Keith Andrews (👈).

Not really the fault of Pep, it's the fault of everyone who can't see that the only way you can play like that is by having the best players in the world (and the refs on the payroll).

How about this. If Brittain is still with us when the season kicks off, I will pay £100 to a charity of your choice. If Brittain has gone when the season kicks off, you pay £100 to a chaity of my choice.

No Tugay? Really?

There's is zero chance Leonard is seen as third choice striker. If he was, he would have been in Spain and not turning out for the U21's against Oldham.

I was talking to my brother who said Hitting it into the top corner female keepers have no chance

Sadly I agree on the relegation bit, we are being steered in that direction. Lord know their reasoning. Does me head in, just a few mill from a real.crack at some serious income and they put the brakes on. Nuts.